SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020 (PAGE 3) SACRED SPACE BOOK REVIEW When brutal rape bruises memories Where does God reside? Ashok Ogra the author in the book. Jammu's canals, in sniffing or licking the resulting paste.' particular, seem to have left a deep Few persons have the nerve to face up Swami Ram Swarup, Yogacharya taught us that in the absence of real wor- lows the Vedic path and worships accord- As a school going kid in 1960s, I would impression on young Balan. to the dirty little secrets from their past ship of God, peace/salvation cannot be ingly, realise God within their souls and invariably shift to Jammu during winter What a wonder that in the mind of a 'In the peak of summer, the belief went which they have consigned to some dark attained. not outside and see that worship is also vacations, and stay with my aunt who used human-being, a desire originates. Then he Therefore, like previous yugas, why exercised in a way that our concentration that jumping into the canal, when the ambi- corner of their mind. But not Balan! naturally starts searching the matter, to to live in Panchtirthi area of the old city. ent temperature hovered upwards of 40 Towards the end, the author introduces don’t we the human-beings take interest enters within us and not outside. during winter can get very cold. fulfill his desire. After a great effort, when to follow divine wherein the defini- In this connection, Yog degrees centigrade, resulted in paralytic an interesting twist in the story - when he he obtains the desired matter, he experi- The impressions that I earned of the city of attack of polio…..But there were other two encounters Asha at IIM. But she is not tion of God and process of His worship 1/2 educates us that “Yogaschittavritti those days have stayed with me till date. ences happiness and peace within him. has clearly being explained by God nirodhaha” i.e., by doing hard practice of occasions in the year when we would get to what he thinks she is- she says so herself. For example- Human-being when came to The area had a royal look and feel. The Himself. Because the basic principles state Ashtang Yog, an aspirant must control all impressive Wazir mansion was just oppo- know about gold, they immediately that before a devotee starts worship, he the five vrittis and stop them from going site our lane, and the magnificent looking searched out the same and got pleasure. must first know that Who is God and How outside. The effect of this eternal knowl- old secretariat was just 200 meters ahead. When they came to know about the His worship is performed. edge is being seen in the new Granth of clothes, silver, platinum, diamonds, WHO IS GOD the present respected saints. The city was neat and clean, and the air sweets, iron, coal, gases and so many In Yajurved mantra 40/5, it is clearly For example- Respected Shri Guru was fresh and pure. Days were sunny, and Images of the city other matters then humans spent all their preached, Nank Dev Sahib throws light that- “Man the stars lit the city at night. Important places like Mubarak Mandi are vividly framed Complex, Purani Mandi, Old Secretariat, Hari Singh Palace, Library, Museum, vari- ous temples and shrines - though some of by the author in In the present these are not in great shape - are a testi- scenario, we see mony to the city's past grandeur. the book. Jammu's For me the city always held a special that people are charm. No wonder, the nostalgia and the memories survive even after five decades. canals, in particular, after materialistic Same seems to be the case with Balan- the protagonist of 'Return To Jammu'- written seem to have left articles, money by noted corporate executive, author and and other sources columnist, V.Raghunathan. He was till a deep impression recently President of ING Bank in of satisfying Bengaluru. Born into Tamil family, on young Balan. themselves. Raghunathan spent most of his childhood in Amabala and Jammu where his engineer father was posted with Military Engineering Services (no one referred to it as Money spend quality time at one of the canals. Balan though is not convinced and decides “Tadan Tarasya Tadu Baayataha” i.e. mandar tan Bhesh Kalandar, Eating Services; at least not in those days). valuable time to search out the said mat- the God resides within this world as well Ghat hee teerath nahaanva” i.e. Real These were at Tilo Talab or Rajender Park. to return to a changed Jammu in ters and they acquired them and they tried We get to read the story of Balan who Both became our picnic spots in due course. December 1983 to reconnect with the fam- as within every soul. temple is the mind of human-being where lived in Satwari cantonment area of to satisfy themselves. The God while being omnipresent Tilo Talab, also home to Gurudwara Tali ily. This where the story takes a poignant God resides and is manifested by Jammu during 1959-66.Though the book In the present scenario, we see that within every subtlest/minutest particle of tapasya. Sahib, in the 1960s was a beautiful spot with turn - though the author is careful not to is a work of fiction but one can easily sense people are after materialistic articles, universe and even outside also and thus In view of the above, though the God is sprawling mango orchard, through which allow narration to slip into sentimentality. money and other sources of satisfying the author's own life spent in Ambala and knowing all souls and their pious as well omnipresent but He manifests in the heart flowed the lovely distributary of Ranbir The family of Asha belonged to border themselves. as sinful deeds, He justifiably awards the Jammu and, later at the Indian Institute of canal, almost 15 feet wide.' town of Uri in . One day on way to But we see that inspite of achieving all of human-beings, who follow Vedic-path, Management, Ahmedabad. In the words result of those deeds, to be faced by souls. perform daily agnihotra, name-jaap, seek The book begins with Ambala where the sacred temple, she was the matters, people still remain unhappy. We have to worship the said God. of the author 'all characters and the story shelter of learned Acharya of Vedas and Balan was born but the major focus of the kidnapped and raped by the militants and Why? Because nowadays, everybody is Number of people ask as to where the per se are fictional. At the same time, I Ashtang Yog philosophy. So, our eternal book deals with his stay in Jammu where the grandmother murdered. This changed enjoying from God made materialistic God resides? In this connection, Rigved would be dishonest if I did not confess to and ancient knowledge of Vedas and pres- he made friends and had a childhood the life of the family resulting in the early articles, as quoted above. People are mantra 10/22/1 throws light that the God borrowing liberally from many episodes of crush on a girl. "I first met Jeevan Asha death of her father and mother. She her- enjoying the time of day and night, by ent knowledge of great saints says that resides in the residence of learned of my childhood in telling a tale. Kaul on the second day of our arrival in self suffered huge trauma and permanent working hard and taking sound sleep God is within us. On the other hand, it is Vedas, , Rishi-Munis, God resides in 'My first memory of Jammu is a kaleido- Satwari. For Asha was my best buddy in loss of past memory. Her aunt took cus- respectively, people are enjoying different an open fact that people are doing the their intellect also and the God is attract- scope of many images, with a couple of the whole world; and even better, I sus- tody of her and nursed her back to life so types of vegetables, food etc. and people worship, searching God outside human- ed to exist there by stuti (praise through experiences thrown in. As I alighted from pect, I hers. What is more, Asha, easily the that she could study and lead a normal life. are enjoying every matter made by God. body. Then how can peace be maintained the last step of the rear door of the roadways But in the absence of listening to the ved mantras) to be realized. The God prettiest girl in the world, had earned for Those of us who have been witness to today also is realized like a friend by in the world. bus and looked around, I saw a concrete herself the position of 'honorary boy'. It our sisters and daughters being kidnaped, preach of Vedas, humans never try to Infact, when we enter the Vedic eternal shelter corrugated tin roof, under which search out the Creator of all the matters supreme and purest aspirants. helped that she was the best shot with the raped and murdered when the militancy So, the way/method preached by God knowledge, we find that in every ved, God stood a number of skinny and naked hors- gulel and could pick her targeted raw erupted in 1990 will relate to the novel. and UNIVERSE and He Who is even nurs- has given preference that all human bod- es….. About fifteen feet away was another ing the universe and Who infact is only the in Vedas to be away from problems, dis- mango off a branch. All anecdotes, as told, Towards the end, it turns into a heart- eases, poverty etc. should be followed ies must seek shelter of learned Acharya of embankment, the parallel counterpart to the illuminate and linger. wrenching account of a family that is still matter Who gives peace and long, ill free one I stood on, and between the two was a life to the people along with innumerable today also like the people who adopted the Vedas and Ashtang Yog philosophy to gain He continues: 'Another feature of processing the trauma. canal with rapidly flowing brownish but assets. Otherwise inspite of possessing same in previous yugas especially in the knowledge, realize God and establish Satwari landscape in general was an abun- Raghunathan writes in easy and read- transparent water.….and one of the sights in materialistic articles people have gone far beginning of the earth. peace, like in previous yugas. But nowa- dance of a weed called BHANG. In time, I able prose. The book is a Harper Collins away from peace. Rishi Yagyavalkya states in Shatpath days, everybody and the Government as some ways the most astonishing and, to my would learn, it was the cannabis plant. At Publishers and priced moderately at The four Vedas- The divine voice of Brahmin Granth about the residence of well tries to maintain the books of Vedas, bashful nature, embarrassing was dozen the time we were often amused to see so Rs.399. God and based on Vedas, our ancient and Almighty God, stating, “Yasya Atma but is not trying to spread Vedic odd boys jumping and swimming in the many workers of the sub-staff category (The author is a noted management & present Rishi-Munis including personal Shareeram” i.e. that the soul is the resi- knowledge amongst people and hence canal.' rubbing the leaves between the palm of media educator, and works for reputed Apeejay experiences of human-beings have clearly dence of God. So, the aspirants who fol- problem. Images of the city are vividly framed by one hand and the thumb of the other and Education Society) ART & CULTURE HEALTHLINES Perception of Plastic Surgery Dr Shitiz Gupta International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Of Saavan, and Sahitya Surgery global statistics, nearly 8,95,896 People in today's world are more health cosmetic procedures were performed in Brij Nath Betab only the fountain head of all knowledge but also the the Lord. Vasugupta's Shiv and conscious and are aware of the different 'Patron of literature'. It is here that Shaivism has Utpaldevacharya's Shivstotravali could be put in a 2018 alone; ranking 5th country in the is the land of festivals and festivities. For us, medical specialties. Despite the tremendous world in the number of surgical and non- influenced literature since early times. different category, as the purpose there is dissemina- advancements in the field of plastic surgery, here, Nilamata Purana describes in detail the legends The famous drama of Kalidasa, Abhijnan shakun- tion and propagation of Shavite philosophy. That is a surgical cosmetic procedures. of different festivals, and explains how they should be there seems to be a limited knowledge talam is, without any doubt, the outcome of the influ- different genre. Even though plastic and reconstructive (and are) celebrated in this part of Bharat Desha. among the general public and also among ence of Kashmir Shavite philosophy of With regard to Shaivism and literature in surgeons require extensive surgical training Going by the description it is evident that every day, medical professionals regarding the spec- darshan, (Recognition and realization of one's self). Kashmiri, the poetry created by Paramananda and and technical skills, they are mostly known each month and all seasons have some festivity Dr Laxmidhar Kalla mentions in his book 'Birth place joo Razdan, has been inspiring generations trum of plastic surgery. As a medical special- for performing cosmetic surgeries.In India, attached to them. and no one has surpassed them till date. ty, plastic surgery is poorly understood by We are in the year 2020 and it is the month of of Kalidasa' that 'Abhijnan Shakuntalam is the alle- the condition most commonly known to be gorical representation of the philosophy of Paramananda's Poems Shiv Lagan and Amar Nath both the general public and some medical treated by a plastic surgeon was burns fol- Saavan (Shraavana). The significance of this month Yatra and Krishna joo Razdan's Shiv Lagan poetry in professionals as well. People in today's can be gauged by the fact that Lord himself is Pratyabhijna'. He argues and establishes that lowed by rhinoplasty. Kalidasa was born in Kashmir and then moved south- particular, surpass all others. Poem Amarnath is mes- world are more health conscious and are As plastic surgery is a unique specialty the presiding of this month. It is here that wor- merizing not only due to expressiveness but also in aware of the different medical specialties. shiping the lord and fasting in adoration to Him ward. that deals with everything from head to toe, mystical deft. 'Describing the outwardly pilgrimage to Despite the tremendous advancements in grants one salvation (). 14th night of the The influence of Shavite thought is clearly visible it has no organ system of its own. The inter- in the writings of local dramatists and poets. In her the holy cave, he describes the awakening of the the field of plastic surgery, there seems to be net has been the main source of information month, night before the new moon, in the dark fort- Kundalini energy'. This is a unique poetic experiment. night of each month of the lunar calendar, particular- famous book 'Kashmir ka Sanskrit sahitya ko yog- a limited knowledge among the general pub- about plastic surgery.The revolution in var- daan' (Contribution of Kashmir to Sanskrit litera- Adoration to Shiva by Razdan is also exceptional in lic and also among medical professionals ious forms of media and social networking ly during the month of Phalgun, is dedicated to Shiva the sense that it encompasses all Shavite lore. and is also called Shivaratri. It is believed that during ture), Dr. Ved Kumari Ghai notes that 'It seems that regarding thespectrum of plastic surgery. As channels has made the conditions treated some couplets in Subashitawali of Srivara have been In Kashmiri poetry we generally find a medical specialty, plastic surgery is poorly by plastic surgeons more recognizable. this period Lord Shiva descends on to Prithvi (Earth) Shavite or Vaishnavite themes, but the way the life taken from dramas of Candaka. Three couplets seem understood by both the general public and- Medically themed series such as Grey's sketch of Lord Shiva and the epic tales associated to be 'Nandi Padya' Anatomy and House seem to be significant- with him have been superbly put to musical poetry by some medical professionals as well. People of some dramas and ly associated with better awareness of plas- they are hymns to all the prominent Kashmiri Bhakti Poets from Paramananda to Krishna joo Razdan and from Bulbul tic surgery among the students in our Shiva and . study. Considering new trends in social Rajatarangani (ii- Nagami to Prakashram Kurigami and modern day devotional poets like Badri Nath Abhilaash, makes media and the advertisements that serve to 16/iii-386), while educate students about cosmetic surgery, mentioning second one realize the impact of Shaivism on literature. Poets of yore, called Rishis, have not only demon- the use of the internet and social media century Kashmir tools to promote a more accurate and real- King Ranaditya, strated versatility in expression but also used themes from Shaivism to and to me that seems istic portrayal of medicine should be 'whom the people strongly advocated.Social media are gain- forthwith called by to be a trend of spiritual thought as also propounded by most illustrious, the greatest of all poets, ing popularity worldwide as being a another name method used to advertise for cosmetic Tunjina ' tells us Laleshwari, fondly called Lal Ded who said 'May He treatments. Social media are integrating that 'at that time rid me of the worldly sufferings/ be He Shiva, Keshva into many aspects of daily life in India. It is there lived a great or Jinva' (Buddha). Kavi Candaka who While Lal Ded is credited with propounding important to determine the role of these Shavite philosophy in the colloquial lingo, Jagaddhar advertisements in influencing the patient's was a descendant or in today's world are more health conscious Bhatt sticks to Dev Bhasha Sanskrit. While Lalla- decision to undergo a cosmetic procedure. (incarnation) of the and are aware of the different medical spe- Vakyani or the Vaks of Lalded, other than worshiping Social media platforms are used as meth- Muni Dvaipayana cialties. Despite the tremendous advance- (Vyasa), and who Shiva also propagate Shavite thought and teaches us ods of communication, education, enter- ments in the field of plastic surgery, there composed a play some lessons, Jagaddhar Bhat prays to Lord to seek tainment, promotion, and lifestyle aspects, worthy of the attention of all people'. his mercy (Due to political upheaval in Kashmir dur- seems to be a limited knowledge among the such as diet, fashion, and specifically beau- and stays at Mount Kailasha. It was during this general public and also among medical pro- month that , the daughter of Himalaya wor- Here we have reference of Bhakti to Shiva in ing his times). His expression is so intense that ty. Beauty used to be advertised almost Sanskrit dramas of second century. Dr. Ghai is also Goswami Tulsidasa is said to have been impressed fessionals regarding the spectrum of plastic exclusively through television shows and shiped Shiva to attain Him. surgery. As a medical specialty, plastic sur- Young Vedic scholar Acharya Rajesh Prashar tells categorical in saying that the influence of Kalidasa is and influenced by him. Dr Baldevananda who wrote a commercials, but now it has a large pres- gery is poorly understood by both the gener- me that during this month a devotee shall not con- clearly visible on the drama Karnasundari of Bilhana. thesis on Stutikusmanjali told me once that Tulsi ence in advertisements done by social sume Tamasic (static) foods and instead serve non This is significant in our context as the influence on Dasa always kept a copy of Stutikusmanjali in his pos- al public and some medical professionals as media influencers. A Forbes article shows sedative food to and the needy. With the writings has always been mutual. If Kalidasa has session. well. that a review from a trusted social media regard to worshiping Shiva, he says 'worship using been influenced by Kashmiri theological thought, The tradition continues, though, with no equal Plastic surgery is the single most diverse figure is the equivalent of a word-of-mouth white color flowers or white colored offerings like Kashmiri literature has also imbibed 'outside' influ- measure. What is heartening is that we have female specialty in the medical field, dealing with relay. rice, milk etc. One must do Rudrabhishek and recite ence. This is quite natural as culturally Kashmiri soci- devotional poetesses like Santosh Shah Nadan con- the problems from the top of the head to the Plastic surgery is an extremely competi- the Shavite Mantras to attain knowledge, to get rid of ety adheres to the social patterns of Vedic life and the tinuing the tradition of Roop and Riche Ded tip of the toes and with the patients ranging tive specialty. Internet and social media the animal instincts (Pashu tatvas) and seek Moksha. writers specifically derive their themes from the and that keeps not only the tradition but also the hope in age from the newborn to nonagenarian. channels are rich sources of information During this month of Saavan, devotees of Lord Vedas, , Vedic seers and Puranic tales. alive. Nadan is a poet worshiper of Lord Krishna It is unrestricted by organ system, disease and their use as educational tools should be Shiva, local as well as from other parts of the land The influence of Kashmir Shaivism on Indian though. process and it is rightly called the "Problem encouraged.Plastic Surgery has different throng to the holy cave of Lord Shiva Amarnath, for writing continues and other than Kalidasa another Almost entire Kashmiri Bhakti poetry is based on solving specialty ". sub-specialities including hand surgery, darshan of the ice Lingam, formed naturally. best example could be given by referring to the devotion to Gods, Goddesses and , and only a Plastic Surgery is derived from the faciomaxillary surgery, microsurgery and so Worshiping Shiva Lingam made of ice dates backs to influence of Pratyabhijna school of Shaiva thought on small portion is dedicated to local deities and places Greek word "Plastikos" meaning to on. The general public is not aware of these antiquity, but Rajatarangani, (Book second. the most famous poem in Hindi, Kamayini by of worship like the one devoted to Karkota Naga. mould/shape and the Roman word "Plasty" vast areas encompassed under plastic sur- Shloka138), in an apparent reference to Holy Jaishanker Prasad as propounded by Hemyo bartal zagay meaning to repair, restore and replace. Amarnath tells us that king Samdimat (Aryaraja) (34 gery. Utpaldevacharya. Dr. Pankaj Misra, a Sanskrit Manh myani Karkut nagai It is broadly divided into two sub special- Bc-17AD) 'worshiped a lingam above the forests that The media plays an important role in Scholar says the epic poem Kamayini of Jaishanker Here the poet says that he shall wait at the door of ties- Reconstructive Plastic surgery and was made of snow'. Prasad is a poetic form of the Pratyabhijna Darshan educating the public but at the same time Karkota Naga, who resides in his heart. This is Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The Shiva worship has been so prevalent in as explained in the Abhinavagupta's in village Utrsu, some distance away from they have portrayed plastic surgeons, that Kashmir that worshiping a thousand Shiv Lingams Pratyabhijna Vivrti Vimarshini. "The crux of poem is Kapteshwara (Kothyer) in Anantnag district. Our own eminent surgeon Sushruta 600 cater only to the rich and that it is a money daily was a routine. M.A Stein who translated based on the Anandvad (Theory of Blissfulness) of Poet Abhilaash does not only worship Shiva but BC is the regarded as the Father of Ancient spinning enterprise. Rajatarangani explains that these Sahasra Shiva Shaiva philosophy. The basic subject matter of this Universe also which he believes is the expansion Plastic Surgery.Harold Gilles is regarded as God has created this wonderful, mother lingams were made of clay and would be immersed in Kamayini is as to how to travel from a state of worry of Shiva, as propounded by Trika philosophy. He the Father of modern Plastic Surgery. earth and has made it beautiful by making the river waters in the evening after pooja. He says for to the state of bliss". (Translated from Hindi). This is says, Yeth bhramands sadshiv chu mooladaar/thath The three main principles of Plastic sur- gorgeous landscapes, marvellous moun- worshiping Sahasra Shiva lings, Banalingas (linga what Trika philosophy teaches us. bhrmands chu myony jai jaikar. (I hail in reverence gery are- To restore the form (anatomy), tains, pristine water bodies, breathtaking shaped pebbles) were taken even from Narmada. Talking about Shavite poetry we can neither the Universe, whose creator is Sadashiva). function (physiology) and aesthetics valleys, rich dense vegetation and species. When the whole life is encompassed with spiritu- ignore , who we believe was influenced Saavan is the month of Shiva's bliss and it is with (cosmesis). We Plastic Surgeons are proud and take ality, it is but natural that literature also imbibes the by tatva in Trika, nor Acharya Abhinav Gupta His Anugraha that literature is created. Anugraha Plastic surgery is well defined as the spe- influence. With regard to Kashmir Shavite thought, a little credit in saying this… that "we make or poets like Anandvardhana or Pt . While according to Jagaddhar Bhatt comes only through cialty concerned with restoration, recon- people and their lives look & function beau- the earlier influence that we find is evident in Pandit Kalhana is generally remembered for his his- Bhakti (devotion) to Lord and Bhakti comes only Kalidasa's writings. Kalidasa like almost all the struction, and enhancement of the function tiful". torical poem Rajatarangani, his devotional poetry like through His bliss. This month of Saavan gives us an and appearance of body structures that are Sanskrit scholars of Kashmir was a Shavite. opportunity to surrender to Shiva and seek his For all the plastic surgery needs and the Ardhnareshwar is forgotten. However, missing, defective, damaged, or mis- According to his translator Prof. Arthur W.S Ryder, despite all the upheavals Adi Shankar's stotras and (Anugraha) blessings. solutions, please get in touch with the near- shaped. It includes both reconstructive and this is also evident from the dedicatory Shiva prayers Abhinavagupta's Shavite poetry like the Bhairav (The author is a senior fellow, Ministry of Culture, est Plastic Surgeon. in his writings. For any Sanskrit scholar Shiva is not Stotra are still recited in every household to worship Government of India) cosmetic surgery. According to the (The author is Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon)